E-Round

May 2008 - News and events from around the Diocese of St Albans and the Church of England

Please feel free to forward this to others and to reproduce in full or part in parish magazines and newsletters.

News from the Diocese

 

Surprise Honour for Bishop, Church and City

 

The Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, Bishop of St Albans has been made an Honorary Citizen of Fano in The Marche, Italy. This is believed to be the first time that an English Bishop has been given the freedom of an Italian city. More…

 

Six Elected to help choose next Bishop of St Albans

 

Six local people will join the Crown Nominations Commission to help find the next Bishop of St Albans. They are: Mr Anthony Archer, Mr Simon Baynes, The Revd Richard Hibbert, The Venerable Trevor Jones, Mrs Christina Rees and Mr John Wallace. More..

 

NEW!

Read the front page of See Round - Is this the future of RE?

 

TRING School, one of the Diocese’s three Church secondary schools, is giving religious education a boost through strong branding. This will give it greater prominence in the school’s Humanities Department, a wider appeal inside the school as well as in the community at large. More..

 

Thank you from Helen

 

“Thank you so much for my Farewell Service and Lunch on 3 April.  It was good to be able to say goodbye properly, at least to some of my friends and colleagues: I’m grateful for your understanding that I’m not presently able to do more.

 

Thank you too for such an amazingly kind farewell gift.   This, coming on top of so many kind cards and letters, and such thoughtful individual gifts, has been so very generous of you.

 

Thanks for all you’ve given me over four such happy years.

 

This brings my love, Helen Cunliffe.”

 

Proclaim!

 

Saturday 28 June at Central Baptist Church, Luton   10am - 4pm.

 

One of the series of Masterclass Skills Days on worship, for young people aged 14-21 years. The workshops will focus on PA, Video & Musicianship.  More info www.voicemail.org.uk/proclaim.html  or call Julie at the Diocesan Youth Office on 01727 818160.

 

Passio - The St Albans Festival Pilgrimage,

Saturday 21 June, 2008

 

Guest preachers Angela Tilby and Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading.

 

Groups and individuals are warmly welcome to take part in the Festival Pilgrimage. Please register to let us know you’re coming with the Cathedral Office on 01727 890245 or by email pilgrimage@stalbanscathedral.org.uk

 

Information for pilgrims here or on the Diocesan website.

http://www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk/pilgrimage-information-2008.pdf

 

Passio – Children’s Workshop, 7th June

Crafts and games and retelling the story of Alban

 

Two sessions, at Abbey Primary School, St Albans: 10 – 12.30 and 1.30 – 4. Each session is £2.50, and kids can stay for the whole day, in which case they should bring a packed lunch. Signing up in advance is helpful: contact Fr Darren Collins on mcyp@stalbanscathedral.org.uk

 

Back to Church Sunday in St Albans Diocese

 

Last year 2000 churches around the country invited and welcomed back to church 20,000 friends on Back to Church Sunday.

 

This year St Albans Diocese is joining others signing up for Back to Church Sunday on 28 September 2008. A healthy number of churches has shown an interest.

 

More information on how your church can get involved through John Kiddle, Officer for Mission and Development: john.kiddle@stalbans.anglican.org

 

And more about B2CS (Back 2 Church Sunday) on www.backtochurch.co.uk

 

New Diocesan pilgrimages planned – please note corrected year in bold below

 

In response to interest expressed and requests received, an eight-day Holy Land pilgrimage led by the Bishop of Hertford and the Archdeacon of Bedford will take place in 2009, departing on Tuesday 26th May. The programme will cover some of the less visited sites in the region. Please contact Tony Boon on 01727 818135, email aboon@stalbans.anglican.org to register interest. Brochures will be available soon.

 

In the meantime, the Oberammergau trip in June 2010 has completely sold out, but a new tour to the Passion Play led by the Archdeacon of Hertford Trevor Jones and Mrs Sue Jones is being planned, to depart 23rd August 2010. Please contact Andy Crooks on 01727 853305, email chaplain@stalbans.anglican.org, for brochures and booking details.

 

Further details on all diocesan pilgrimages can be found at www.stalbanspilgrimages.org.uk

 

Walk and Explore St Albans for Childhood, says the Children's Society


St. Albans welcomes back for the second year The Children’s Society’s Walk & Explore family walking adventure made possible by Ecclesiastical Insurance on Saturday 5 July. The Walk & Explore series is fantastic event giving walkers the chance to discover the hidden gems of St. Albans on an exciting historical trail while raising money for childhood.

 

There are two fascinating walking trails around the city, both starting at Verulamium Theatre and finishing at Abbey Gateway and St. Albans museum respectively. The 1.5-mile Young Detectives’ Trail is ideal for families with young children, while the more adventurous 4-mile Discoverers’ Trail offers a bit more of a challenge.

 

In addition, The Children's Society has also secured free or discounted entry for walkers to many of St. Albans’ famous landmarks on the trail route including Kingsbury Watermill Museum, The Clock Tower, Verulamium Museum and The Cathedral to see the shrine of St. Alban. The event offers a fun day out for family and friends and actively helps to create real change for some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK.

 

The Children’s Society’s Walk & Explore event series helps to raise vital funds for specialist work with children who face the greatest danger and disadvantage in their daily lives, those who have no where else to turn to. Register for your Walk & Explore place today by logging onto:

www.walkandexplore.org.uk <http://www.walkandexplore.org.uk> or call 0845 300 1128.

 

Beyond 1807

 

A conference in Cambridge for teachers aimed at resourcing them to teach about the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, part of the National Curriculum from September 2008.

Enquiries and booking http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/admissions/outreach_access/beyond_1807/

 

Gareth John, 01223 338782 email beyond1807@joh.cam.ac.uk

 

Events of the month

 

Abbey Taize Service

 

There will be a Taize service in St Albans Cathedral on Sunday 1st June 2008 at 6.30 pm.

 

Woodland Burial Trust

 

St Albans Woodland Burial Trust will hold its second Open Day on Saturday June 17 from 2.00pm until 5.00pm at the St Albans Woodland Bural Ground at Keysoe. Further information from The Administrator: Mrs Linda Parry. St. Mark's Church Community Centre, Calder Rise, Bedford. MK41 7UY. Tel/Fax 01234 342613 Email: woodland@thisischurch.com Or www.thisischurch.com/woodland 

 

An article about Woodland Burial can be read here

 

Hardynge Choir Summer 2008 Concert at 7.30pm on Saturday 21st June in St. Helens Church, Wheathampstead.  

 

Programme: Liebeslieder-Walzer Op.52 – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), Songs of Nature – Dvorak (1814-1904). Part proceeds from the concert will be donated to Mercy Ships UK, an international charity providing logistical and medical support in crisis situations.

 

 

 

Holy Cross Church Sarratt. For All The Saints.........Flower Festival

 

Sat 28th June 10.0am - 5pm, Sun 29th June 11.30am - 5pm, Mon 30th June 11.0am - 3pm. Entrance and Car Parking Free.

 

Concert 7.30pm Sat 28th, 5 Alive! Outdoor Service with THE JOLLY JAZZERS Sun 10.0am, Songs of Praise Sun 6.30pm, Thanksgiving Service Mon 3.0pm

 

 

All this month’s events can be seen here

 

 

 

News from the Church of England

 

 

Churches support survivors of abuse: resource launched
The Church of England and the Methodist Church are publishing a special resource this week designed to help churches support people who have suffered from the trauma of abuse, wherever this has occurred. Details here

 

Violence against lesbian and gay people condemned by Archbishop of Canterbury
In response to reports of violence and threats towards Christians involved in the debate on human sexuality, the Archbishop has given the following statement. The context of the story can be found here

 

Get a Life! Church of England tells young people to listen to God’s voice
A five-session course, published by the Church of England, is encouraging groups of 13 to 18-year-olds to listen to God’s voice for careers advice, before deciding what to do with their lives. Many churches and youth organisations will start running the course on or around Vocations Sunday 2008 (Sunday April 13). Full story here

 

Investing for the future

The Church Commissioners announce another year of outstanding results. Full story here

 

Archbishop of Canterbury – protect the poorest from the effects of economic downturn

Dr Rowan Williams, has called on the government to do more to protect the poorest and most vulnerable from the likely consequences of an economic downturn. Details here

 

Prayer for Madeleine

The Archbishop of York has written a special prayer to mark the one year anniversary of the abduction of Madeleine McCann. Read it here

 

Stop spinning urges C of E 

Now summer is on the horizon and the temperature is soaring, the Church of England’s Environmental Adviser, David Shreeve, is calling for an end to spin. He urges households to switch off their energy-hungry tumble dryers ….full story here

 

Lambeth Palace climate change talks

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Bishop of London, Rt Revd Richard Chartres, welcomed leaders from business, government and civil society to Lambeth Palace for a climate change round table. Full story here

 

Women bishops – Manchester Report published

The House of Bishops is to discuss the Legislative Drafting Group considering proposals to allow for women bishops at its next meeting in May. Full story here

 

Competition Commission’s supermarket report welcomed 

The Church of England has welcomed the Competition Commission’s decision to seek undertakings from grocery retailers to establish a Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) Ombudsman full story here

 

Lambeth Conference: Archbishop of Canterbury

Dr Williams has recorded an exclusive video message reflecting on the forthcoming Lambeth Conference in July. Watch the video here

Dr Rowan Williams, has sent an open letter to the bishops of the Anglican Communion, in advance of the Lambeth Conference. Read the full letter here

 

Zimbabwe

Archbishops issue joint statement - the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued a joint statement concerning the deteriorating situation of ordinary people in Zimbabwe. Full story here

Pray for Zimbabwe - the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, after giving joint interviews with the Archbishop of York, reflects on the issues surrounding Zimbabwe and called for a day of prayer. Watch the video here: here  Archbishop of York also calls for day of fasting and prayer. Details here

Donate to Zimbabwe urges Archbishop of York. Full story here

 

Religious Trends publication ‘dangerously misleading’ 

Projections and comparisons published by Christian Research in its Religious Trends publication are flawed and dangerously misleading, the Church of England said today. Full story here

 

More news from the Archbishop of Canterbury

Prayers for Burma – Dr Williams has written to the Anglican Church in Burma following the devastation of Cyclone Nargis in the area of the Irrawaddy River Delta. Discover more: here

 

‘Friendly meeting’ with Pope Benedict

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has described his private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican as 'friendly and informal'. Full report here

 

7th Building Bridges seminar in Rome

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to convene the 7th Building Bridges Seminar in Rome next week. This is a unique annual series which brings together a range of internationally recognised Christian and Muslim scholars for an intensive study of relevant Biblical and Qur'anic texts.

Full story here

 

Religious Faith and Human Rights lecture

Tonight the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams will give a lecture at the London School of Economics entitled 'Religious Faith and Human Rights'. Read the lecture and see photos here

 

Sermon at St-Martin-in-the-Fields

The Archbishop of Canterbury's preached at a special Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the renewal of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. Listen to the sermon and see pictures here